Health and housing energy expenditures: a two-part model approach

Interest in the interaction between energy and health within the built environment has been increasing in recent years, in the context of sustainable development. However, in order to promote health and wellbeing across all ages it is necessary to have a better understanding of the association between health and energy at household level. This study contributes to this debate by addressing the case of Portugal using data from the Household Budget Survey (HBS) microdata database. A two-part model is applied to estimate health expenditures based on energy-related expenditures, as well as socioeconomic variables. Additional statistical methods are used to enhance the perception of relevant predictors for health expenditures. Our findings suggest that given the high significance and coefficient value, energy expenditure is a relevant explanatory variable for health expenditures. This result is further validated by a dominance analysis ranking. Moreover, the results show that health gains and medical cost reductions can be a key factor to consider on the assessment of the economic viability of energy efficiency projects in buildings. This is particularly relevant for the older and low-income segments of the population.This research was funded by FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within MIT SES Portugal Doctoral Program under the scholarship PD/BD/128029/2016. This work has also been supported by FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/202

The role of energy affordability in the relationship between poor housing and health status

Housing quality is a well-established determinant for health and its relevance has been increasing in the context of sustainable development. Prior research has emphasized the importance of adequate housing for the health and comfort of householders. However, this link is still poorly characterized and understood regarding the vulnerable segments of the population. In this study, a mediation analysis is proposed to test and identify the role of energy affordability in the relationship between poor housing and health status. It resorts to microdata from the European Union—Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) database, focusing on the analysis of Portugal as the case study. Research findings confirm the role of energy affordability as a mediator. The research findings supported the energy efficiency as a direct pathway with protective and preventive effect for poor health, followed by energy affordability as a mediated or indirect pathway. A complementary approach that addresses energy efficiency and energy poverty should be pursued to maximize health risk reduction.This research was funded by FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - within MIT SES Portugal Doctoral Program under the scholarship PD/BD/128029/2016. This work has also been supported by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020

A review of the relation between household indoor temperature and health outcomes

This paper provides a review of research that addresses the relationship between indoor temperatures and health outcomes, taking into consideration studies that focus heat or cold exposure within the household context. It aims to extend previous research by considering both indoor temperatures from existing housing, and empirical studies that focus on energy efficiency measures and subsequent health impacts. To achieve this aim, a literature review was undertaken, combining engineering and health databases. The review established that, overall, inadequate indoor temperatures are associated with poor health status, whereas energy efficiency measures have been associated to improved indoor temperatures and occupant’s health namely regarding cardiovascular, respiratory and mental health disorders. These health conditions are among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases (NCD). The review also highlighted the need for more empirical studies with an extended timeframe to deal with climate change challenges. It underlined the potential advantages of the convergence between health and energy efficiency studies, for better modelling and planning.(undefined

O comércio electrónico em Portugal: relações espaciais entre comércio e consumidores na Internet

Tese de mestrado, Geografia, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Letras, 2009O trabalho que se apresenta centra-se no domínio dos fenómenos de natureza geográfica resultantes das relações espaciais entre os agentes do comércio e os consumidores na Internet, desenvolvendo-se um conjunto de métodos para acompanhamento da elaboração do projecto ao longo das suas diversas fases de execução. Procura-se ainda definir a ligação entre os aspectos das interacções por via electrónica com a geografia. Começa-se por apresentar no Capítulo 1 uma panorâmica das novas formas de comércio e consumo, focando-se o estado da arte, os conceitos e tipos de comércio mais conhecidos, a modernização dos formatos comerciais que originaram as actuais paisagens comerciais e a distinção entre comércio tradicional e comércio electrónico. O Capítulo 2 apresenta uma retrospectiva teórica sobre a Internet e a Sociedade de Informação, realizando-se uma análise sumária da situação actual portuguesa e desenvolvendo-se, em seguida, um itinerário de relações entre território e Internet. O capítulo termina com o questionamento do fenómeno da desterritorialização num cenário paradigmático de interligações nas redes informacionais. O enquadramento dos conceitos e tipos do comércio electrónico é desenvolvido no Capítulo 3, juntamente com as vantagens e desvantagens deste tipo de comércio, descrevendo-se algumas particularidades ao nível dos elementos de logística, das origens e tendências. Remata-se o capítulo com uma breve análise da evolução do comércio electrónico em Portugal. Finalmente, no Capítulo 4 realiza-se a síntese dos resultados e conclusões das dinâmicas espaciais percepcionadas pela análise estatística das informações que resultaram do trabalho empírico na fase da observação da dissertação e sugerem-se vias para futuras relações espaciais entre comércio e consumo via Internet.The work presented herein is focused on the area of geographical nature phenomena resulting from spatial relations between trade agents and Internet consumers, being developed a set of methods for monitoring the project throughout its different performance stages. Additionally, the connections between electronic interactions and geography are also assessed. Chapter 1 introduces an overview of the new forms of trade and consumption, focusing on the state of the art and the more familiar concepts and types of trade, the modernization of the commercial formats which originated the current commercial scenarios and the distinction between traditional trade and e-commerce. Chapter 2 presents a theoretical retrospective on the Internet and the Information Society, performing a brief analysis of the current Portuguese situation and developing an itinerary of relations between territory and the Internet. Finally, the phenomenon of deterritorialization in a paradigmatic set of interconnections within informational networks is questioned. The framework of the concepts and types of ecommerce is developed in Chapter 3, along with the benefits and disadvantages of this type of trade, being described some of its features in what concerns logistic elements, origins and trends. The chapter ends with a brief analysis on the evolution of e-commerce in Portugal. Finally, Chapter 4 presents a summary of the results and conclusions of the special dynamics captured by the statistical analysis of the information resulting from the empiric work during the dissertation observation phase, being suggested various ways to future spatial relations between trade and consumption via the Internet

Impact of using cool paints on energy demand and thermal comfort of a residential building

This work studies the impact of using cool paints and/or thermal insulation on the thermal behavior andenergy demand of a residential building. Buildings with thermal characteristics representing both oldand new constructions are considered. The results were obtained using the dynamic computer simulatorESP-r. Recommendations for designers and/or house-owners in terms of deciding the best thermalcomfort solution are withdrawn.For a case-study building in Portugal, in the summer, it was found that an increase in roof and façadevalue of total solar reflectance (TSR) from 50% to 92% reduced the maximum indoor free-float temperature between 2.0 C and 4.7 C in old construction (without thermal insulation), and between 1.2 C and3.0 C in new construction (with thermal insulation). This had as a trade-off effect the decrease of theminimum indoor temperature of up to 1.5 C. The results of annual energy demand for heating showed amaximum penalty of about 30% when using cool paints. However, it was demonstrated that the coolingdemand almost vanishes, eliminating the need to install air-conditioning devices.The analysis of specific real hot weather time periods showed that the maximum altitude of the sun,which is related to the month of the year, determines the solution that originates the highest temperature reduction. As the maximum sun altitude decreases the cool paints show comparatively betterresults

As TIC como actividade de enriquecimento curricular no 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

O presente trabalho tem como objectivo explicitar a necessidade da criação de uma Actividade de Enriquecimento Curricular, da área das Tecnologia de Informação e Comunicação (TIC) no Ensino Básico. Aplicar conceitos inerentes às TIC, utilizando uma lógica de interdisciplinaridade, potenciando a articulação com os conteúdos das actividades realizadas em sala de aula, é minha pretensão, através desta análise interpretativa, encontrar estratégias motivadoras para os alunos do 1º Ciclo, bem como actividades multimédia que possam ser utilizadas pelos professores

Com PES para andar ou o Projecto de Educação para a Saúde da Escola Secundária do Lumiar : um contributo

Trabalho de projecto realizado no âmbito do Ciclo de Estudos conducente ao Grau de Mestre em Ciências da Educação (Administração Educacional), apresentado à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, 2008Desde há muito que assistimos a uma progressiva alteração e ampliação das funções da escola com o consequente acréscimo de papéis que cada um dos seus actores tem de desempenhar. Para encontrar as condições que lhe permitam sobreviver e adaptar-se às novas realidades a escola, como qualquer outra instituição, tem que se conhecer melhor. Tal conhecimento passa por compreender a natureza dos seus processos de organização de forma a perceber a acção dos seus actores e conseguir encontrar os caminhos para melhorar a sua eficácia. Procurando ir ao encontro desta exigência o trabalho aqui apresentado pretende contribuir para a reflexão, análise e avaliação que consideramos ser urgente fazer na Escola Secundária do Lumiar. Assim, decidimos efectuar uma avaliação do Projecto de Educação para a Saúde da Escola Secundária do Lumiar, incluído numa das novas funções da escola a promoção e educação para a saúde, por acreditarmos que desta forma podemos conseguir identificar indicadores da cultura organizacional da escola e das lógicas que regem os seus actores. Desta forma, ambicionamos ajudar a criar a necessidade de (re)pensar a acção desta instituição e dos seus actores. A avaliação do Projecto de Educação para a Saúde da Escola Secundária do Lumiar teve origem na questão: Em que medida a cultura organizacional da escola possibilita, ou impede, a concretização dos objectivos do Projecto de Educação para a Saúde? Desta questão nasceu o projecto sustentado por um quadro teórico que inclui estudos no campo da política, da regulação, das organizações e das lógicas de acção manifestas na promoção da saúde. Nesse âmbito, analisámos documentos e realizámos entrevistas aos principais actores envolvidos no projecto que nos permitiram responder à questão inicial e atingir os objectivos a que nos propusemos.The progressive change and widening of school functions is not a recent phenomenon, and neither is the resulting expansion of the roles of the intervening agents. Like any other institution, school should gain better understanding of this mecanisms in order to establish conditions to meet new needs and ensure its own survival. This cannot be achieved without a deeper comprehension of the nature of the organizational processes involved, which can make clear the action of its agents and eventually help figuring out ways to improve productivity. In view of the foregoing, this research contributes to the reflexion, analysis and assessment of the current situation at the Lumiar High School which should be undertaken urgently. For this purpose, the Lumiar High School Health Education Project was chosen as case study. Health promotion/education is one of such new functions recently attributed to schools. Through the evaluation of the Lumiar High School Health Education Project, key factors of the organizational culture of the school were identified, and the logics of action were established. Consequently, this contribution aims to help create the need for more reflexion on the activity carried out at school and on the roles of the agents involved. The decision to evaluate the Lumiar High School Health Education Project originated with the following thesis statement: How does the organizational culture of the school enable, or hinder, the success in achieving the goals of the Health Education Project? The theoretical background of the present research project includes studies on policies, regulation, organisations and logics of action within the health promotion schools. The adopted methodology includes document analysis and interviews of the key agents. It was possible to answer the thesis question and fulfil initial objectives

Thermochromic Paints on External Surfaces: Impact Assessment for a Residential Building through Thermal and Energy Simulation

This work addresses the effect of using thermochromic paints in residential buildings. Two different thermochromic paint types were considered: One that changes properties through a step transition at a certain temperature, and another that changes properties in a gradual/linear manner throughout a temperature range. The studied building was a two-floor villa, virtually simulated through a digital model with and without thermal insulation, and considering thermochromic paints applied both on external walls and on the roof. The performance assessment was done through the energy use for heating and cooling (in conditioned mode), as well as in terms of the indoor temperature (in free-floating mode). Three different cities/climates were considered: Porto, Madrid, and Abu Dhabi. Results showed that energy savings up to 50.6% could be reached if the building is operated in conditioned mode. Conversely, when operated in free-floating mode, optimally selected thermochromic paints enable reductions up to 11.0 degrees C, during summertime, and an increase up to 2.7 degrees C, during wintertime. These results point out the great benefits of using optimally selected thermochromic paints for obtaining thermal comfort, and also the need to further develop stable and cost-effective thermochromic pigments for outdoor applications, as well as to test physical models in a real environment

Construção de uma metodologia de avaliação da importância das soft skills na intervenção precoce na infância

Soft skills are non-technical skills that influence job success. Its importance is increasingly highlighted in the organizational world, as they contribute significantly to the good performance and the professional development. There is, however, a gap with regard to its study in professions that involve a helping relationship, as in the case of Early Intervention in Infancy (IPI) implemented in a family centered perspective by multiprofessional teams. This study aims to build a questionnaire that allows assessing the importance of soft skills for IPI professionals, as well as realizing their mastery over these skills and their use in professional practice. The questionnaire was built from a wide list of soft skills referred to in scientific literature, being called experts to assess the clarity of the concept and its relevance for the practice of IPI. The study had the participation of 8 portuguese specialists. In general, soft skills obtained high percentages in both criteria, however, three competencies were excluded from the initial list, one added and twelve were reviewed, resulting in a total of 48 items in the final questionnaire. As soft skills são competências não técnicas que influenciam o sucesso laboral. A sua importância é cada vez mais destacada no mundo organizacional, pois contribuem significativamente para o bom desempenho e o desenvolvimento do percurso profissional. Verifica-se, no entanto, uma lacuna no que concerne ao seu estudo nas profissões que envolvem uma relação de ajuda, como no caso da Intervenção Precoce na Infância (IPI) implementada numa perspetiva centrada na família por equipas multiprofissionais. O presente estudo tem como objetivo construir um questionário que permita avaliar a importância das soft skills para os profissionais de IPI, bem como perceber o seu domínio sobre estas competências e a respectiva utilização no desempenho profissional. O questionário foi constituído a partir uma ampla lista de soft skills referidas em literatura científica, sendo chamados especialistas para avaliar a clareza do conceito e a sua pertinência para a prática de IPI. O estudo contou com a participação de 8 especialistas portugueses. De modo geral, as soft skills obtiveram percentagens altas em ambos os critérios, no entanto, após a avaliação dos participantes, foram excluídas três competências da lista inicial, adicionada uma e doze foram alvo de revisão, resultando um total de 48 itens no questionário final